Spiritual Sense

Canglong Jian is located north of Ink Bamboo Mountain, heading upstream along the river into the mountains, hundreds of miles away from the main altar of the outer sect.

Therefore, the flying boat summoned by Lu Yu was considerably faster than Fuling's treasure ship, like riding a gale, flying at lightning speed. Along the way, deep streams, sheer cliffs, high mountains, and treacherous peaks emerged from the white clouds and mist, only to be left behind in the blink of an eye.

The scenery along this route was exactly as described in the Shui Jing Zhu: "Clear streams and green pools, reflecting inverted shadows, with strange pines growing on precipices, and waterfalls cascading between them. The vegetation was lush and verdant, full of interest."

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the flying boat gradually slowed down. Between two isolated peaks and sheer cliffs, a veil of dense clouds and mist hung like a woven tapestry, resembling a heavenly gate shrouded in white gauze, like a curtain blocking the view of what lay within the mountain ravine.

Lu Yu stood at the bow of the boat, waved the command flag in his hand, and a streak of yellow light shot into the mist.

Then, a gentle spiritual wind blew, and a faint Dao aura permeated the air. It was as if a celestial being had pulled aside the gauze curtain, parting the continuous mist to reveal a deep ravine and a clear pool a hundred feet wide below. The pool water was deep green, as lustrous as black jade, with bamboo groves reflecting in it, presenting a magnificent scene of the heavens, earth, and ravine all in shades of green.

"Strike the bell."

Upon hearing Lu Yu's command, the young disciple Chen Daotong, who cultivated Crimson Sha escape, gathered his vital energy and breath, striking the golden bell in his hand three times with a 'dang--dang--dang--' sound.

Not long after the metallic ringing echoed out, Li Fan heard a rumbling sound of water from the ravine below. The surface of the water, which had been as still as a mirror, suddenly began to churn and bubble, the spiritual spring surging, and the pool water flowing upstream, as if something was about to leap out!

"Holy crap, here they come, here they come!"

Li Fan couldn't help but rush to the bow of the boat to look, while Chen Daotong and Yuan Xuanbao both took two steps back and even unfurled a paper umbrella to hold together.

The next instant, a thunderous roar echoed through the mountains, 'bang--'! The deep ravine and clear pool seemed to explode, and columns of water shot up into the sky, piercing the nine heavens! The splashing water scattered in the wind, like a heavy downpour, and under the sunlight, it reflected a rainbow of seven colors.

"Holy shit! It's the real deal!"

Li Fan, splashed head to toe by the spray, stared excitedly at the creatures that continuously leaped from the clear pool and coiled on the steep cliffs, shouting with immense excitement.

Dragons, the lords of scaled creatures, have nine resemblances: their heads resemble camels, their horns resemble deer, their eyes resemble rabbits, their ears resemble cows, their necks resemble snakes, their bellies resemble mythical sea creatures, their scales resemble carp, their claws resemble eagles, and their paws resemble tigers. Their backs have eighty-one scales, possessing the ninety-nine Yang numbers. Their voices are like clanging bronze plates. They have whiskers by their mouths, a luminous pearl under their chin, and an inverted scale under their throat. They have a foot-long horn on their head, exhale clouds, and breathe rain.

'Li Fan's mood increased by 1 point.'

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, why are you so excited, host? Aren't they just coiled dragons?'

"You don't understand! Damn it, if only I had a camera!"

Honestly, these four small dragons weren't very big, the smallest being about forty to fifty feet long, and the largest around a hundred feet. They had green scales, black spines, red bands, brocade patterns, silver eyes, and golden horns, all being Azure Dragons. In terms of shape and appearance, they were much more normal than the numerous demonic and monstrous forms Li Fan had seen before, and their pressure was far from comparable to Real Person Wanshu's Dharma form.

But after all, these were actual dragons! At least to Li Fan, they held immense symbolic meaning! Seeing real dragons with his own eyes made this trip truly worthwhile!

'Li Fan's mood increased by 1 point.'

Seeing Li Fan so excited, Lu Yu didn't think much of it, assuming he was from Human Dao and was just excited to see large spiritual beasts for the first time. He turned to the other two disciples and said, "We won't go to the Li River today. Doctor Wen complained to the abbot, saying these four worms have eaten all the fish and shrimp in the river and the cattle and sheep on both banks. The people of Li Kingdom are grumbling."

Yuan Xuanbao frowned, "Didn't we compensate them at market price? Why are they still complaining?"

Chen Daotong chuckled, "The doctor is using us to try and reduce the offerings. Then let's not go east. How about we go north to the Mount Buzhou region to hunt?"

Lu Yu nodded, "That's what I was thinking too."

Li Fan's ears twitched, and he reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the real dragons. "Mount Buzhou?"

"Mount Buzhou is unclaimed territory northwest of Bamboo Mountain," Lu Yu knew about the cultivation world, and Li Fan didn't understand, so he explained, "It's the border region of the three major powers: the Immortal Palaces, the Mystic Sects, and the Divine Cults. It was once an ancient battlefield. Now that peace has lasted for a long time, the three major powers rarely engage in large-scale battles. Many ancient immortal ruins in Mount Buzhou have also given birth to many demonic and monstrous beasts.

We don't need to go deep. In the area near Bamboo Mountain, we can just let these little worms hunt for themselves. They've grown quite a bit, and they can handle ordinary Devil Beast demons themselves, saving us the trouble of them stealing our cattle and sheep."

"Understood."

Yuan Xuanbao shook the silver bell, and the four coiled dragons swimming in the ravine all raised their heads, soaring into the clouds. They exhaled four rain clouds with hidden green scales, chasing the flying boat towards the northwest.

So, Li Fan ran to the stern again to watch the dragons, mentally asking Profound Heaven Sword Intent about the geography of the cultivation world. After all, Mount Buzhou had come up, and he was very curious! Come on, Sword Intent, draw me a map!

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states it cannot draw a map.'

What? As a Sword Sect ancestor, likely a Sword Immortal who had attained enlightenment and ascended, you don't even know geography? Then where is your Beichen Sword Sect located? You can't possibly be lost, can you?

Forget it, there's a reason this guy was trapped for five hundred years; he's just a complete blockhead...

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states that the cultivation world is vast and sparsely populated. Normally, one uses divine sense to perceive fellow cultivators in the vicinity and flies their sword in a general direction, arriving in an instant. What need is there for a map?'

Is your divine sense a radar or something, that powerful?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states that the host can try practicing the <Secret Refining Outline of the Five Luo Sword Ghosts of Taiyin>. Close your eyes and visualize the Five Luo Sword Ghosts, then use your divine sense to probe those four small dragons as training. You don't need to truly condense the sword ghosts with vital energy; as long as you can generate divine sense and see through the true dragons hidden in the clouds and mist, you will succeed.'

Oh? This is interesting.

Li Fan immediately began. He casually grabbed a silk scarf and tied it over his eyes, then began cultivating according to Profound Heaven Sword Intent's instructions.

This Taiyin Five Luo Sword Ghosts technique was originally a cultivation method for achieving the Golden Core stage after Foundation Establishment. It involved refining five elemental sword ghosts within the body, allowing one to perform five tasks at once, simultaneously controlling five streams of sword qi and even flying swords. However, there were many similar methods, and Profound Heaven Sword Intent didn't find this one particularly special, except for one advantage: this technique could ultimately refine a Divine Treasure Golden Core to control ghosts and swords.

The so-called Divine Treasure Golden Core was a Golden Core hidden in the Shen Ting acupoint at the top of the head. This was quite rare because, in ordinary cultivation methods, the Golden Core was directly formed in the Qi Sea as a Qi Treasure Golden Core. So, what were the advantages of a Divine Treasure Golden Core over a Qi Treasure Golden Core?

'Sword Intent states, of course there are advantages! During a duel, if your head is severed by an opponent's sword, and they directly destroy your body with golden light, thinking they've broken your golden body and captured your head, you can laugh and say, "Haha, didn't expect this!" then spit out a flying sword and counter-kill.'

Holy crap, Sword Intent, you're so devious... And were your times that brutal? Severing heads in duels was described with such casual frequency?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states that the host has probably never even killed a chicken. Changing one's destiny is a bloody path. It is recommended to find an opportunity as soon as possible to kill two demons to temper your heart.'

What the hell, I thought you were going to say kill two chickens to temper my heart, but killing two demons to temper my heart? Sigh, although I don't know if those non-human entities are truly the Heavenly Dao, this world's acquired immortal path is probably not a righteous one...

Fine, Li Fan was too lazy to bicker. Anyway, it wasn't time for that kind of heart tempering yet; he needed to focus on cultivation.

This Taiyin Five Luo Sword technique first required visualizing the sword ghost from the technique in the Shen Ting acupoint, and then generating the distinction between 'them' and 'me'. This would bring the 'them ghost' to life, allowing it to control sword qi independently, and in turn, cultivate 'my consciousness', enabling me to perform two tasks at once and control the sword ghost.

Of course, sword ghosts required true qi to gestate and take form. Li Fan hadn't even reached Foundation Establishment yet, so where would he get the true qi to nurture a sword ghost? He was merely cultivating 'my consciousness' in advance, essentially experiencing the effects of divine sense prematurely.

As expected, well, at least as Profound Heaven Sword Intent predicted, Li Fan very smoothly separated 'them' and 'me', and cultivated a bit of divine sense.

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states that the host's ability to face the Dao Ancestor was not a fluke, and that the host's divine sense is abnormally strong, bordering on monstrous.

Li Fan frowned.

No way, I can go head-to-head with that Dao Ancestor guy? That's clearly the system's doing, right? System, how did you explain it to the Sword Intent?

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: The host is monstrous.

Ugh... Fine, you two just bicker then. I'm exhausted.

Li Fan couldn't be bothered with these two jokers. He tentatively tried to use the tiny bit of divine sense he had just cultivated to look around.

The feeling was a bit like switching from a first-person perspective to a third-person one, just casually looking around. Except this "looking" was actually visualization, and what he "saw" was the ever-flowing Five Qi—purple, white, gold, cyan, and red. Colorless, radiant light circulated naturally, endlessly. Within this natural cycle, a cultivator's true qi circulated in its own internal orbit, completely opposite to the Great Dao of heaven and earth, making it exceptionally easy to distinguish.

Of course, Li Fan's vision was still limited. Being able to cultivate divine sense at the Qi Refining stage was already monstrous enough; you couldn't expect him to see very far. In reality, he couldn't even leave the range of the flying boat, let alone see true dragons among the clouds.

But surprisingly, with a sweep of his divine sense, Li Fan "saw" two other young disciples fighting on the deck ahead.

Ahem, no other intentions here. Don't assume they're fighting some lewd battle just because they're a dual-cultivating couple. Strictly speaking, they were sparring.

Chen Daotong's weapon was infused with a clear Dao aura. Li Fan could barely recognize its shape: a pair of halberds. These were like double-headed daggers with a handle extending from the middle, similar to mantis blades strapped to the hands. They could be used for stabbing like daggers or for close-quarters combat like gauntlets, though they were primarily for throwing. What was interesting was that when thrown, they could fly back by drawing on qi, similar to sword techniques.

Yuan Xuanbao wielded an even more obscure weapon: a thin rod with an iron hand at the end. When swung, the index and middle fingers would extend, resembling a mountaineering pickaxe. However, it seemed to have a mechanism, as it could suddenly unfurl its five fingers into a claw, capable of snatching weapons. What was more peculiar was that this hand-shaped weapon could also form mudras, drawing in surrounding spiritual energy, quite imaginative.

These two were not using spells, but were pure men, engaging in hard-hitting weapon combat.

They fought without any regard for their relationship as a dual-cultivating couple, showing no mercy. They swung sharp iron weapons, clanging and smashing without holding back, sparks flying from the impact. Their movements were like a rabbit leaping and a bird falling, incredibly swift. They stepped on the Big Dipper and the Three Primes, weaving left and right. A moment's slowness could mean a flying halberd piercing the skull or a pickaxe crushing the head. Yet, their faces showed no tension, as if it were mere training. They fought with blank expressions and calm, steady qi.

What the heck is this?

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: They are practicing martial arts.

I know they're practicing martial arts! I want to know why they're practicing martial arts!

Profound Heaven Sword Intent seemed stunned by the question, taking a long moment to reply.

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: Practicing martial arts well... can prevent you from being killed?

No, aren't you cultivators? Where are your flying swords? Your spells? At the very least, shouldn't you be clashing swords? How did this suddenly jump from a Xianxia style to practical weapon combat??

Now Profound Heaven Sword Intent understood what Li Fan was truly asking.

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: Host, you misunderstand. This is a proper military Body-Refining technique, a battle method passed down through the ages in the military camps of the Twelve Kingdoms of the Human Dao.

Each weapon's training method is paired with specific breathing incantations and power-generating techniques. It's also a marvelous method for strengthening bones, forging the body, and purifying the marrow, capable of refining the physical body into a formidable physique comparable to the Foundation Establishment realm. And needless to say, it also imparts extremely strong combat skills.

Back then, the God Lord of the Divine Cult, in order to surpass others, planned to train mortals into armies. They collected martial arts from the Human Dao and battle tactics from various nations, refined them, and developed this miraculous Body-Refining technique. In those days, rare treasures were limited, and many rogue cultivators with insufficient aptitude for immortal cultivation joined the Divine Cult to practice this technique. This produced a large number of experts and contributed to the Divine Cult's dominance over one-third of the world.

Body-refining emphasizes accumulation over time, constant tempering of muscles and bones, requiring diligent effort. Compared to immortal cultivation, progress seems too slow. Mortals in the Human Dao, with perseverance, can even refine their bodies to the Divine Essence Body realm, comparable to the Golden Core realm, if they have talent. However, mortal lifespans are limited, and there aren't many martial cultivators in the Twelve Kingdoms who persevere. With the great changes in the Heavenly Dao, royal families and noble houses likely no longer practice this method.

It's rather more suitable for cultivators to practice body-refining. This way, before forging a Golden Core, if their Dao aura is depleted, they won't be completely at the mercy of others. These two youngsters are likely using body-refining to dispel the Sha Qi they contracted during the Moon Worship ritual and stabilize their Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation.

So that's how it is. Then he doesn't need to practice it. His realm is as stable as a mountain. With the Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword arrayed, he could instantly kill these two with unstable foundations.

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: Host, stop joking. You're afraid to even kill a chicken. Even if you were at the same realm as these two, if you missed the first strike, you'd be counter-killed within three moves.

Li Fan was speechless for a moment. He could retort, but he knew Profound Heaven Sword Intent was telling the truth.

Of course! I transmigrated from a peaceful era. I felt disgusted just pointing and killing a group of monkeys. How could I possibly fight cultivators who have been killing since childhood?

Maybe the Sword Intent could teach me a few body-refining moves?

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: I cannot. I was a peerless genius in my past life. With my enlightened Sword Intent, a mere flick of my finger could unleash ten thousand swords to obliterate all gods and buddhas in the heavens. What is this body-refining, even at the supreme realm, compared to my sword light? It's trash!

... Wait, didn't you just say I'd be killed within three moves if I used the Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword?

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: Host, do not misunderstand. If I used the Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword, I could kill even Nascent Soul to Spirit Transmutation cultivators. It's just that the host is too soft-hearted, unable to even perform the simple act of slapping someone to death. How can you be a match for these two pieces of trash?

Only a psychopath could do something like that!

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: However, host, do not worry. With me here, why learn trash techniques to fight trash? Since the host can already cultivate divine sense, I will now impart the most powerful ultimate move of the Beichen Sword Sect to you! It slays gods and buddhas alike!

Holy crap! Is that for real? Your boasting has even got me excited! Hurry up and tell me what this ultimate move is!

Profound Heaven Sword Intent states: It's called "Slay Gods and Buddhas." Refine sword light into your eyes, and with a single glance, you'll incinerate people to death. I guarantee it won't give you a chance to be soft-hearted. How about that, impressive, right!

... System, take a look at the mentally unstable, anti-social psychos you've signed contracts with...